In this review, we will be comparing MiniVee X and DB4S, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Velodyne and Bowers Wilkins. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Velodyne MiniVee X and B&W DB4S first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Velodyne MiniVee Xand B&W DB4S have a single woofer setup however the Velodyne MiniVee X's woofer is 8-inch whereas the B&W DB4S features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
MiniVee X has a frequency range of 32-180 Hz whereas DB4S has a frequency range of 10-350 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the DB4S can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the MiniVee X's min frequency of 32Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Velodyne MiniVee X's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. Velodyne MiniVee X has external dimensions of 300 x 290 x 290 mm () whereas B&W DB4S has external dimensions of 375.0 x 362.0 x 434.0mm (14-3/4 x 14-1/4 x 17-1/16inch).
B&W DB4S is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 72mm wider, 75mm taller and 144mm deeper than Velodyne MiniVee X.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
B&W DB4S needs about 87% more floor or shelf area. B&W DB4S is 144mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. B&W DB4S is 75mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Velodyne MiniVee X is approximately 841.0cm2 / 130.4inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The MiniVee X requires 46% less surface area than the DB4S which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Velodyne MiniVee X weighs 15.00kg / 33lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the DB4S 74% heavier than the MiniVee X.
Here is a comparison of how MiniVee X and DB4S's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Passive Radiator |
8" passive radiator, force-cancelling
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
300mm
vs
375mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
841cm2
vs
1571cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1299USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350 Hz
vs
180 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
B&W DB4S needs about 87% more floor area. B&W DB4S stands 144mm further into the room. B&W DB4S is 75mm taller.
| General |
Velodyne MiniVee X |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
Velodyne |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
32-180 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
n/a |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
290.0mm (11.4") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
290.0mm (11.4") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
15.00kg (33lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
High-gloss black, high-gloss white, or transparent acrylic |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
High-gloss black, high-gloss white, transparent acrylic (limited edition) |
n/a |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
5V/1A, powers the Wi-Connect II receiver only |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
Different price classes - B&W DB4S costs roughly 1.7x what Velodyne MiniVee X does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | B&W DB4S goes deeper - 10Hz against 32Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | B&W DB4S has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 350W RMS, about 4.6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | B&W DB4S moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (app control). |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Velodyne MiniVee X takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Velodyne MiniVee X is about 57% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | A | Velodyne MiniVee X costs less - $1,299 against $2,199, about 41% less. |
A Velodyne MiniVee X B B&W DB4S
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: B&W DB4S measures better, Velodyne MiniVee X costs about 41% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Velodyne MiniVee X is the only one of these two you can connect at all. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $1,299 each, two Velodyne MiniVee X cost about $2,598 against $2,199 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.